Claude Thibodeau

Hi Sir! Some have the Midas touch... But vou certainly have the "Caddy touch" ! CT

Hi Thomas! I might... if the border was not closed because of Covid. But I will try to attend Classic Plastic next year, if my schedule allows... CT

Hi Francis! Wow, that is fine brass work. I look at the whole engine, and wonder... What type of gaskets will you use on that beast: cork or steel with silicone rings? Just curious... Bravo, keep at it, but don't drop the distributor anchor bolt in the carpet! It would be a catastrophic event! CT

Hi Steve! This is a great acomplishment. What I mean, outside the fact that the car is a beauty, is that these cars are SMALL, and packaging is a major issue. You succeded in cramming a fairly big powertrain in a small british car. Bravo! Come to think of it: that is also what made Shelby famous, no? A big Ford V8 in a small AC sports car. Here's to you! CT

Looking at your car closely, I can see it is the first realease, which was later modified by Lindberg, reportedly because GM had licensing issues with the fact that the cowl/lower windshield was much more rounded than on the prototype. I can tell, comparing with my copy, that yours is the first issue. Maybe they improved on the upper grille also, adding the flashers that I see on mine? Any kit expert in the room? CT

Hi Gareth! Clean build, bravo! If you look closely at the top of the chromed grille unit, you will see the turn signals molded outboard. At least, on mine, they are there. I know because I'm finishing one also, and I detailed the grille last week... CT

Hi Eric! Thank your for the infos. I do a lot of 1/1 custom painting, and use mostly HOK Show Klear. It's more viscous, flows slowly, and leave enough for a good block sand and polish afterward. However, on surfaces I don't wish to sand and polish ( door jambs, inner doors, etc,) I use "commercial grade" clear from auto body suppliers. You are right to say it has a lower film build and flows shinier. Your spectacular results have me thinking about using it next time. We'll see... CT

Hi Sam! Wow, it's great, and it wets my appetite! From one food trailer operator to another: keep on! CT

Hi Cliff! Thank you. I have no talent to paint figures in a way that would satisfy me... so, I skipped. Next time maybe? CT

Hi Jason! Top notch work all over, again. Bravo! I build 1/1 street rods and Pro-Touring for a living... and I must say your steering rack is spot-on. Even the retainers on the pinion case are spot-on. World class, really! CT

Hi Tim! Well, this thing is ready for a world tour: I can think of the Museum Of Modern Art, and the Petersen... just for starters! Masterful. Bravo! CT

Hi Sir! Well, now I know. Thank you! CT

Hi Sir! Top notch results, bravo! And to say that there is an old saying in the automotive world that implies that "a green car is bad luck". Wonder where it came from. Never stopped great green cars to win AMBR or Riddler, and sometimes both. Go figure... CT

Hi Eric! Spectacular "flow" of the clear, indeed! May-I ask what brand you are using? I know you are a seasoned painter, but your material seems top shelf too! CT

Hi Magnus! Welcome aboard! As you will come to see, many among us are just like you, "returning to the hobby". Older, yes... but often with more patience and ressources. Hope to see some of your cars soon! CT

Thank you Mark! That is why I LOVE kit bashing... It opens all sorts of new possibilities. Now: I have about 125 unbuilt kits in my stash. I'm not good at maths, but I figure it makes for about 150,000 possible variations? Not certain I'll live long enough to explore most of them! CT

Hi Pat! Thank you. I suupose some visitors to this thread might be puzzled by the first word in you comment... LOL! Only true cannucks can relate, but I certainly can! CT

Hi! Wow, that is shiny! Superb. I'm afraid that with such a low snout... some insects may turn into road kill... CT

Hi Ron! Thanks for the pics, very interesting. I had a Ranchero like that in the 70's. How do I wish I had kept it... Sold it during the fuel crunch of the late 70's, cause the lileage was so bad (351W), I would had sworn the tank was leaking. So many great "big" cars we got rid of for this very reason. You could not give them away back then. Everybody wanted an economy car. Can you say K-Car or GM's X_cars? Memories... CT

Hi again Fabrizio! Looking in details at the underhood "sludge"... and having owned many 1/1 60's Fords myself... it IS very realistic, just shiny enough to simulate the film of oil that covered everything underhood. even more so if you had one of those "oil bath" air filters! Wait... whats is is on my computer screen? Ah, oily residue, of course... I looked at it a little to close, I fear. CT

Thank you Thomas! I wanted to do something diffrent with the elder Foose creation, because so many great variations of the box stock kit have been seen. This "outside the box" built seemed feasible, so I got at it... CT

Wow! It truly looks the part. I can smell the hot-dogs and fries... CT

Hi Steve! I agree with all the other pedestrians: the red hue is great. As to the tiny bubbles you mention, they usually happen when you spray your clear a smidge too close to the surface. It makes for a rewarding "wet look", for certain... But it sometimes encapsulates the propellant gas from the can, thus the bubbles. They are often impossible to get rid of, but with a folded sand-paper edge, some water, and great care. Just my two cents. Keep on, it's great! CT

Hi RRR! The side view does not lie: all the gaps are top-notch. Bravo! CT

Hi Eric! Fantastic transporter... and that would be, INDEED, fantastic cargo! It begs to be recreated in styrene. Hope you go ahead with it... CT